Shelving



Feb. 2, 1932. J. E. BALEs E-r AL 1,843,262 v sHELvING Filed July 29. 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 2,V 1932. J. E. BALI-:s ET Al.

SHELVING w .7 7 w 7 72 0. r|xl||||w ill IIJ nl||||i1|||| 2 A lilwww@ .t i u f f MM ,/w M m 6 5 W .M 7m 7 7 7 d@ Filed July 29. 1929 Feb. 2, 1932. .1. E. BALI-:s ET Al.

SHELVING Filed July 29, 1929 6- Sheets-Shea?l 4 @ermi- I iFeb. 2, 1932. I J, E BALES E1- AL 1,843,262

SHELVING Filed July 29, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheetl 5 Feb. 2, 1932. J. E, BALES ET Al. 1,843,262

sHELvING Filed July 29. 1929 e sheets-sheet `e Patented Feb. 2, 1932 .Uni-fra. sil;MrIE-S PATENT, OFFICE-1 JAI/Ins E. BALEs Ann JOHN B. OooInaORi orv AURORA, ILLINOIsfAssIeNORs To: LYON f IIIYRTAI. PRODUCTS, INCORPORATED, or AURORA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION. OF

ILLINOISA SHIELVING Application` andV July, 29,

This invention relates inA generalto shelving and particularly to structures whichv comprise a plurality of sections Which are fas'- tenedtogether, and Which are provided'with immovable shelves therein.

The object of the invention is'to provide a structurezwhich is rigid, strong, and durable, which' can be; quickly assembled or knocked down, and Which can be readily and economically manufactured.

Another object is to provide a structure Which has certain parts arranged in interlocking relationship, and which is provided with means yfor adding onto or extending the structure.

Anotherl object is to provide a structure made up of a plurality of sections, eac-hof Which is provided'With levelingmeans and means lfor plumbing the structure anddraW- ingy and holding the `parts together.'

Another object is toprovide a structure Which has va plurality of interengagingand disconneetible parts, which are maintained in assembled position by meansoioverlaplping and' engaging parts. K

A further object is to provide adevice connected to the tie rods for plumbing the structure and" for holding the rigid, assembled position; Y v

Another object is to provide a'leveling device for structures, such as shelving, cabinets, or the like, Which has a partthereoffextending up intothevupright's, andv which" hasY a threaded member extending through the base thereofto bring the various sections of the structure to the proper level.

Another objeetistoprovide a shelf clip for a shelving structure, 'Which is removably mounted in the uprights of the structure, and Which'- is provided' With shoulders thereonV to provide bearings for the clip andtoholdsome of the parts of thestructure in locked position.

Other objects and advantages Will" hereinafter appear. y

The invention comprises in gene-rale structure having a plurality of uprights Which'are maintained ind spaced relationship by means ofront and rea-r lowerl bases and uppertie rods. The'rtrontv and rear tierods respecparts together` inV 1929., Serial No. 381,740.

tively connect they frontV and 1re-ar uprig'hts together. A yoke is fastened to these tiegrods and a threaded memberis: arrangedy in'reach tie rod and is engageable Withv ayoke.y These,

threaded'menrbers haveright and left hand threads' atthe oppositeA ends ofthe tie rods so that When the tie rods are rotated the uprights will be drawn into position. AA foot is provided for thezuprights and -ithas a verends 'which' engages a' slot" in the rear base.V

A strap surrounds one of'the'tie rods and'is bolted to the rear intermediate upright'. All

ofthe uprights are provided vvitlraV plurality ofvertically alined' slots Which receive removablev shelfv clips to support.l shelves. These clips are 'provided' Withlegs Which engage the slots in the uprightsandV have pairsof upper and lower shoulders which form abearing for the clip and which alsohold'the backs oi' the structurev in proper position against thev rear intermediate uprights. Atopvvhich is similar: in lconstruction to the shelvingused in the llpstructure is also mounted'onshelil clips. An

ornamental cornice is provided on the sides and the frontof the structure." A strap has interlocking relationship With the uprights and'has' a top portion which extends Aover the front cornice and a part of the top. Bolts.

passthrough this strap and thetop and" securely'hold'the.cornice and top in position. 'The cornice on the sides'of. .the structure may be made integral With'the sides or it may he Welded thereto. This cornice has an overhanging edge Which extends over the'topand iskfastened thereto'by means of bolts'or. the li e.

n The accompanying drawings illustrate aselected embodiment of the invention 'andthe views thereinare as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail perspective view of the improved shelving.

Fig. 2 is a detail vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail elevation on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail plan section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of a modified form of shelving having doors arranged thereon.

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a modified structure having panels arranged on the front thereof.

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the brackets for fastening the bases to the uprights.

Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of the leg casting and leveling device.

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the yoke for fastening the top tie rods to the uprights.

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of the intermediate rear uprights and supports for the rear panels.

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of "he shelf clips or supports.

Fig. 12 is a detail side elevation showing a modified ferm of shelf support for glass shelves.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a frame having rear uprights 11, front uprights 12, and intermediate nprights 13. Upper members or plates 14, Fig. 3, connect the rear uprights 11 and the intermediate uprights 13 at the top thereof, and intermediate or partial side members connect the frnnt uprights 12 and the rear uprights 11 at any particular height desired. rEhe intermediate np rights 13 rest upon the partial side members 15. The intermediate uprights are rranged rearwardly of the front uprights 12 and provide a .iro'ection 16 which is adaited to sunrrvwL -j aort an extension counter 1i. ihe front intermediate, and rear uprights are welded to the partial side members 14 and 15, and to the lower partial side member 18.

A pair of the frames 10 are arranged side by side, Figs. 2 and 4, and are connected at the top by longitudinal tie reds 19 and 20, and at the bottom by front and rear bases 21 and 22 respectively. The bases 21 and 22 hai/'e a substantially U-shaped bracket 23, Fig. i', which is fastened to the top and bottom ef the bases, and it is also provided with an outwardly extending flange 24. An arm 25 has an outwardly extending lip or tongue 26 fixed thereto which is preferably made integral therewith.

A leg casting 27, Fig. 8, has a Ll-siiaped body portion 28 and a flat base plate 29. Vl`he body 28 of the base casting is adapted to extend up into the front and rear upright-s, and

the bottom edges of the uprights are adapted to bear against the top of the plate 29. Holes 30 are provided in the leg casting 27 to rcceive screws or bolts 31. rlhese screws or bolts extend through a part of the bracket and the upright portion 28 of the member 2T, and securely connect the frame members 10 together.

The tie rods 19 and 20, Figs. 2, 4 and 10, are preferably tubular in shape and have a plug 32 fixed in the ends thereof. A. threaded member 33 projects from this plug and has threaded engagement with a yoke-shaped member 34. The yoke-shaped member 34 has a back 35 and a pair of spaced legs 36 and37. This member' 34 is adapted to fit down into the top of the uprights, which arc provided with a slot therein for receiving the threaded member 33. The tubular tie rods 19 and 20 may be each provided with a hole 20', Fig. 9, therein to receive a bar or other instrument so that these members may be revolved. As the yoke is maintained in a fixed position by the uprights, revolnble movement of the tie roes causes the threaded members 33 to rotate in the threaded holes provided in the backs 35 of the yolres 34, Fig. 9. The threaded member 33 on one end of each tubular member 33 has righthand threads, while the member on the opposite end has lefthand threads. Revoluble movement of the tubular members, therefore, causes the frames to be pulled together and spaced in proper and rigid position. rlhe length of the tie rods proper is substantially the same length as the bases, so that when the frames are drawn together they will be equally spaced. A plurality of these frames may be arranged in proper sequence to provide sections, and as many sections may be added thereto as are required.

In order to finish the ends of the sections and to present a neat appearance, panels are provided which fasten on the outer ends of the sections. An upper panel 38, Figs. 1 and 3, has a cornice 39 fastened thereto. rlhe upper end of the cornice is provided with an inturned leg 40 which extends over the top cf the uprights. A. screw 41 extends through the flange 40 and has threaded engagement with a hole 42 provided in the leg 36 of the yoke 34. The lower edge of the upper panel is bent over to provide an angular shaped member 43, which has its lower leg bearing against the intermediate side member 16. il lower panel 44, Fig. 3, is bent around to form a supporting base 45, which rests on the plate 29 of the foot casting 27 and also an upstanding member 46 which bears Vagainst the bottom side member 18.

A Z-bar 47, Figs. 2 and 3, has one leg 48 welded or otherwise fixed to the inside of the bottom panel, and its other leg 49 extended over the partial bottom side member 18. The upper end of the bottom panel has an larly shaped portion 50, which has a leg 51 thereof bearing against the intermediate side member 16.v rllhe Lippery end of the member 50 extends substantially to the lower end: of. the

angularly shaped member 43 ofthe Vtop panel,

A. Usha-ped ledge or i'iller block 52, Fig. 3,

fits-into the space. between the top and bottom panels and is iiush with thesetwo panels whereiit. 1er-arranged in place.

AV pluralityoff ijf-shaped brackets 53, Figs.

2, 3 and-4, having-outwardly extending arms 54 arearranged in the member `52 andwelded thereto. Bolts 55 extend through the side I'nemberlG and have'threaded engagement with the U-shapedbrackets 53. for securely .holding the filler block 52 in position. 15

'12.` The counter'17- also has-end flanges 61,

and a substantially ldshaped side strap 62 havingfstraight legs 63 is welded to theserend flangesf.61,Eigs. 2;and4. The body portion 64:' of these straps is provided with holes which receive the bolts'55, and these'b'olts have threaded engagement with the Ueshaped members 53. As thebolts-are tightened, they not only holdthe filler block 52fin position, but firmly and rigivdlysecure'the connte'r'iii` fixed position: A bracket 65 is fastened to the extension counter, Fig; l', to bracethe counter and add rigidity thereto.: l

It is preferable, however, that the U- shapedstrap 62 be fastened in the manner described rather than fastening it directly to the reinforcing bracket 65, as allfthe lstresses and strains which may be applied to the counter will he carried'and distributed bythe legs of? the strap62. rllhe rear' base22, Figs.f3 and' 10, is provided witlifafslot 66, which is-adapted to receivean outwardly extending tongue 67 provided'l onfthe bottom of the intermediate Llshaped reinforcing member 68. The reinforcing member `68 is arrangedv substantially midway between the rear uprights 11. A strap 69 extends around the tubular members 19and is fastened' to thereinforcing member 68 by means'of avv screw 70. The tonguef67 securely holds the bottom ofthe member 68 in position due to its angular engagement with the slot', and theV strap 69securelyi holds the upper end of the member 68- onthe tubular member 19.v

Back panels 71. and 72, Figs. 3 and 11, have their outer lends bent upon themselves and then returnedA to provide al pocket forthe intermediate rear uprights and ,to4 provide outwardly extending legs 7 3, which bear against the rear uprights at onexend; and the intermediate members 68 at the other end..

All ofi the uprightsrarefprovidedf with a nice is held in place by straps 85.

plurality of horizontally alined' slots 7&1,

y]d"igs..2, 3,10 and 11,.which are adapted to receive shelf' supportsfon'clips 75. The shelf clips 75,.Fig.i 111, each have ahorizontal or flatportion 7 6and' an upturned end or leg- 77 .The leg 77 fits into one of: the slots or recesses 74E and supports the upper end' of the f clip 7 5; The clip has-a lower integral wportion 7 8A which has an inturned legl 79' provided thereonf to fit in thel slot directly below the slotJ into which the leg. 77 extends. vA straight portion providingv shoulders SO'eX- tends from the leg.V 79 and rests against the outwardly extending legs 73 of the back.r pannels to provide av bearingi forv the lower endl of the shelf clip and.V to prevent the lower endy of thev` clip from` eX- tending` tool far into the;y slot. are'provided onthe. fiat or top portion 7 6of the shelf clip and engage the legs 73 of the.

back; panelsi'to provide a bearing for the upper' end of the clip. A plurality of the vshelffY supports or clips 75 are arranged in positionv in' the. slots 74, and a .plurality of shelves 82 are mounted on these clip supports;l V Y A* top-83, which issubstantially the same construction as-the shelves 82, is also` arranged-onishelf: clips 75, asiclearly shown in Fig. 2. l Y

cornice 84, Figs; 1' andV 2, isarranged along the front ofeach section, andthisfcor- Each strap 85'1has a rearwardlyextendingleg 86,

'whichis-fastenedv to the frontk tubular tie Arods 19 by means cf screws 87. The lower endofv the strap isprovided with a tongue 88"'which fitsv into azslot provided inthe intermediate uprights 13.v In assembling, the tongue 88 of thestrapis'inserted in a slotor recess inV one of the front uprights. The

Shoulders 851 strap'is'thenmoved or swungito proper position so that it willfit1 over'the top'of the uprightsfand over the forward edge of the top 83. The'screw 87 is then putin place foi-*securely holding'this strap to the ytubular tie rod 19.-

` An adjusting screw'89, Figs. 2, 3, and 8, has threaded-engagement with the base 29 of the memberv 27 to provide means for leveling eachl section 10. If one section is not eX- level Vwith thenext contiguous section, an implement of some kind can be applied to the leveling; screw 89 to raise or lower'any f section to the vproper desired elevation.

If'glass shelves are to be used insteadlofithe particular type of'plain sheetmetal shelves,

rs-shown, afdiferent type-of shelfV bracket is provided, Fig. 12. `'llliisbracket comprises a vhorizontal member 90 having.' an inturned tongue 91, whichfits into one of the slots 74 inthe-'marights- `An upturnedlip92 isalso provided on the end of the bracket andengages the'front endofthe glass shelf 93. A bottom member or. bracey94has an intur-ned its) lil)

lip 95 which lits into another slot 74 below the slot in which the end 91 engages. An upturned flange 96 is arranged at the forward end of the brace and bears against the bottom of the horizontal member 90. This horizontal member is provided with a depression 97 to receive the head of a bolt 98, which eX- tends through both the member 90 and the straight portion 94 of the brace 94 as shown in Fig. 12. A thumb screw 99 is provided on the threaded end of the bolt 98 to fasten the horizontal member 4and the brace together and to hold them in proper rigid position.

instead of having the open shelving, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, front panels 100, Fig. 5, may be provided in each section, and sliding' panels or doors 101 having hand holes 102 may be arranged thereon. Or, the panels or doors may be fastened to the uprights by means of hinges 103, if swinging doors are required.

1t is sometimes desirable that substantially rigid panels be inserted in the front of the case, such as mirrors 104, 6, or panels 105 for fastening exhibits and the like thereto may be substituted for the mirrors. lf the panels 104 or 105 are provided they are inserted in place before the cornice 84 or the straps 85 are applied. The panels 104 and 105 or the sliding doors 101 will rest upon one of the shelves, and are held in position by means of the cornice 84 and the straps 85.

`When the doors or panels are arranged in the structure, the intermediate uprights may be dispensed with and the front uprights continued upwardly to the desired height; or the intermediate uprights may be shifted forwardly and directly connected to the front uprights. The filler strip may then be omitted and a single side panel, such as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, substituted for the pair of panels shown in Fig. 1.

The invention provides a structure which is composed of comparatively few parts, which are rigidly and securely connected together. The side members which connect the uprights constitute a frame. The bases and tie rods connect the frames together and provide a section. A plurality of sections may be arranged side to side and connected together. Sides and backs are provided on each section, and when a plurality of sections are connected together a single unitary structure is provided. Each frame is drawn together atthe top so that the space between the frame at the top will be exactly the same as the length of the bases. The leveling` device provides means for leveling each frame, so that each section can be maintained in proper alinement with the neXt contiguous section.

Changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof,

and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims.

rlhe invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A structure comprising a plurality of sections, threaded means including a foot having a threaded bore and a threaded pin engaging the bore for leveling said sections, tie rods for each section and independently connected thereto, and threaded means arranged in said tie rods at each end for drawing each of said sections together independently of the other sections.

2. A structure comprising a plurality of sections, means fastened to the sections for leveling said sections, tie rods for drawing each section together independently of another section, a cornice for said structure, and

a strap for removably holding said cornice in place.

3. A structure comprising a plurality of sections having uprights, threaded means operatively connected to the sections for leveling said sections, tie rods for each of said sections a removable top for said structure, a horizontal cornice between uprights, and a strap connected to said top and an upright for removably securing said top and cornice to an upright.

4. A structure comprising a plurality of sections having uprights, said uprights having slots therein, movable means fastened to a part of the sections for leveling said sections, tie rods for each of said sections, shelf clips removably arranged in the slots of each of sai d uprights, a top supported by said clips, a front cornice, a strap engaging said top and said cornice, and means for securing said strap to said top and an upright to hold said top and cornice in position.

5. A structure comprisinga plurality of sections, means for leveling said sections, tie rods for each of said sections, shelf clips removably arranged in each of said sections, a top supported by said clips, a front cornice, a strap engaging said top and said cornice, means for securing said strap to said top to iold said top and cornice in position, removable rear uprights for each section, backs con` nected to said uprights, sides for some of said sections, a side cornice, a leg on said side cornice and extending onto said top, and means for fastening said leg to said top.

6. A structure comprising a plurality of sections having uprights, tie rods for each section, a foot, horizontally positioned means threadedly engaging said foot for connecting said foot to an upright, and vertically positioned means threadedly engaging said foot and providing a leveling device.

7. A structure comprising a plurality of sections, tie rods for each section, a foot, means threadedly engaging said foot and providing a leveling device, rear intermediate uprights for each section, straps sur rounding said tie rods and means threadedly engaging said rear intermediate uprights for fastening said intermediate uprights in position.

8. A structure comprising a plurality of sections having uprights, tie rods for eacli section, a foot, means threadedly engaging said foot and providing a leveling device, rear intermediate uprights for each section, straps surrounding said tie rods and attached to said rear uprights, shelves removably supported in said sections, backs connected to said rear uprights, a top and sides for each section, and a strap connected to an upright for holding said top in position.

9. A structure comprising a plurality of uprights, side members connected to said uprights and forming a frame, a second frame spaced from the first frame, bases connected to the lower ends of said frames, one of said bases having a slot therein, a slotted upright having a tongue engaging the slot in one of said bases, tie rods connecting saidframes at the top thereof, a strap surrounding one of said tie rods, means connecting said strap and said upright, and shelf clips engaging the slots in said iirst'named uprights.

10. A structure comprising a plurality of uprights, side members connected to said uprights and forming a frame, a second frame spaced from the first frame, bases connected to the lower ends of said frames, one of said bases having a slot therein, a slotted upright having a tongue engaging the slot in one of said bases, tie rods connecting said frames at the top thereof, a strap surrounding one of said tie rods, means connecting said strap and said uprighthleveling means for each frame, backs engaging said slotted upright, and shelf clips engaging said holes in said upright for holding said backs against said upright.

11. A structure comprising a plurality of uprights, front and rear bases and tie rods connected to some of said uprights, intermediate rear uprights arranged between some of said iirst named uprights, backs having bent portions for forming a pocket to receive the rear intermediate uprights, legs on said backs and overlapping the intermediate rear uprights, and clips arranged on said intermediate rear uprights and engageable with said legs for holding said backs in position.

12. A structure comprising front and rear uprights, side members connecting the front and rear uprights, front and rear bases con` necting the front and rear uprights respectively, tie rods connecting said uprights, each said tie rod comprising a tubular member,

a plug in said tubular member, a yoke engageable with an upright, and a threaded member engageable with said yoke and said plug, whereby said uprights may be drawn together when the tubular member is rotated.

15. A structure comprising a plurality of uprights having slots thereon, relatively wide but thin shelf clips engaging said slots and comprising a flat top portion, a reduced leg` bent up from said flat top portion and extending into one of said slots, shoulders on said top portion at the juncture of the top and leg and providing a bearing for said clip, said flat top being bent downwardlyand providing a flat lower portion on said clip integral with said upper portion, a reduced leg bent inwardly from said lower portion and engageable withanother of said slots, and shoulders at the juncture of the last named leg and said lower portion and providing a bearing for said clip.

14. In a structure of the class described, having means for drawing a plurality of sections together and comprising a hollow member, a screw member threadedly supported i In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JAMES E. BALES. 

